CD is a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, oats.
Common offenders are bread, cake, pasta, biscuits & flour contamination in cooking.
Symptoms become evident commonly in 2-3 year olds & then more frequent after 18.
Onset of acute symptoms can happen with pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or menopause.
Usually apparent within hours of a gluten-containing meal.
Common symptoms are: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramps, weakness, fatigue.
The typical coeliac child is; short, distended abdomen, underweight, grumpy, lethargic.
CD is often uncovered when adults present with atypical symptoms -
joint pain, neurological problems, hair loss, skin rashes, infertility, intestinal tract cancer.
Confirmation is achieved by an exploratory biopsy which shows changes to the small intestine.
Change in lifestyle to a completely gluten-free diet, resolve most acute symptoms within weeks.
The only known treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. phil.sheard@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
CD Society NZ - Secretary Kay Ellis - br&sk+3.ellis@xtra.co.nz
http://www.celiac.com -
celiac faq -
more -
archive
listserv@sjuvm.stjohns.edu (in body) subscribe celiac Firstname Surname